In order for the Church of Christ to exert salvific actions through the Sacraments, Christians must observe the unity of the spirit and fulfill all the requirements that are prescribed in the Church by the Son of God. Only in this case will the faithful followers of Christ be able to unite most closely with Their Head, the Chief Shepherd. The Church of Christ constitutes one body. And just as all the members of our physical body are subject to the head and do its will, so Christians must obey their Redeemer, Who "is a faithful and wise Leader, Who leads those who follow Him in the way of this world to the heavenly homeland" (3:185). Moreover, only those persons are vouchsafed close unity in the living organism of the Church of Christ who maintain the Orthodox faith in purity and holiness, who struggle in piety, have the "fear of God," struggle "against all sin" and strive to constantly abide in good works (3:33).

Since the Church is the spiritual body of Christ, and Christians wish to dwell in it, "then consider," says the archpastor, "how holy and pure (one should live), what love (one should have) for the most holy Head... (and also) to her holy minds, that is, true Christians... Nothing filthy and unclean enters into this holy communion, "... for what is the participation of righteousness in iniquity; or what fellowship is there between light and darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14) (3:32). A Christian name alone without a holy life still means nothing, moreover, such persons are equated with "pagans and hypocrites" (3:216). Remaining in a sinful state, they thereby spiritually distance themselves from church communion and before the Face of God are like a "monster" (4:300). Sin destroys in the soul of a Christian the grace-filled union that was established between God and man. By committing sinful actions, a person mortizes his soul and makes it incapable of receiving Divine grace. From this it becomes clear why, in this case, even baptism performed in the Name of the Holy Trinity does not benefit a person (3:33-34). These false Christians have no part in Christ, although they confess His name (3:98). Consequently, those who do not correct their lives cannot be members of this grace-filled, living organism. Such people are subject to greater condemnation and punishment than those who do not know God (3:38-39). Although the members of the Church are not all spiritually perfect, they, as the archpastor of Zadonsk testifies, can remain in it and be nourished by its salvific juices only under the condition of complete inner regeneration. "And thus shalt thou be renewed, a true son of the Church, and in the good hope of eternal life" (4:301). If inner regeneration makes sinners worthy sons of the Church, then impenitence deprives them not only of earthly tranquility, but also of eternal salvation. However, this is not their final departure from the ark of salvation; they can return to it again, if they so wish, if they forsake their sins, mourn them, and offer sincere repentance before the priest (3:98). The Lord founded His Holy Church on earth in order to always purify, to heal those who desire spiritual and physical health, to enlighten those who seek liberation from the darkness of sin, in short, to lead man to salvation. The Holy Church embraces the repentant sinner and gives him hope for eternal life. From this follows the importance and necessity of remaining in union with the Orthodox Church and the danger for those who live outside this holy union. The Zadonsk saint calls on Christians to observe and sacredly preserve all the promises that they made during their entry into her embrace. "Thus all Christians, entering the Holy Church, accepting the honor and dignity of the lofty Christian name and enrolling in the army of the Heavenly King, swear to remain in it to the end, swear and promise to renounce Satan and all his evil deeds, to serve Christ alone in faith and truth... To the Heavenly King, at all times of his life" (4:295).

The Holy Church is a guide to salvation, an intercessor before the throne of the Most High, an inexhaustible treasury of the grace-filled gifts of God, and therefore her voice must be obeyed (1:39), and one must firmly "hold on... and bring forth fruit pleasing ... To God, lest he be cast out like a useless rod, which does not bring forth good fruit, and, as withered, not be given over to the burning of eternal fire" (3:33). And whoever does not listen to the voice of the Church and stubbornly resists it is not a son of the Church, which means that he has departed from the flock that Christ Himself shepherds, Who promised eternal life to those who hear His voice (John 10:27) (1:39). Thus, although the Saviour of the world, by virtue of His redemptive Sacrifice, granted to all the necessary salvific means for the salvation of man, in order to attain salvation, each person must direct his free will to the active assimilation of these salvific fruits given by the Church and by her alone.

2. The salvific significance of the pastor in the Church

A special mission in the matter of communicating the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit by members of the Church rests with the pastors of the Church of Christ. They are appointed to this great service not by the will of men, but "from God, the Holy Spirit, not to feed the dumb flock, which is visibly surrounded by beasts, but to feed the flock of Christ's sheep, which are surrounded by invisible beasts, the devil like a lion, and his evil spirits" (3:387). From this follows the concept of pastors as special persons whom the Lord Himself has entrusted to protect the flock and lead it to the appointed goal of salvation. And just as before the Lord sent prophets and apostles, so now He sends bishops and elders (4:362). "A shepherd is a messenger of God, who... Proclaims... the way of salvation and calls... in the name of God into His eternal Kingdom" (5:173). The Holy Father affirms that the ministry and those special gifts which the apostles received at the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them are also received by the clergy through the ordination of bishops, and this will continue until the end of time. "Without the right calling and election, no one should enter into pastoral service, as the Apostle says: "... no one accepts honor for himself, but he who is called of God, as Aaron was: so also Christ did not glorify Himself to be a High Priest, but said to Him, 'Thou art My Son, I have given Thee this day generations'" (Heb. 5:4-5). And the holy Forerunner teaches: "A man cannot receive anything, except it be given to him from heaven" (John 3:27)" (3:382).

Since pastors are the successors of Christ and the holy apostles, their lives should be in accordance with this calling. They are to teach people the truths of God (3:384), to help them cleanse themselves of sinful defilement through sacraments, and thus guide them on the path to eternal salvation (3:384; 3:387). And if all people are like travelers wandering through an unfamiliar desert, in need of a guide and a guard who would show them the way and protect them from the attacks of predators, then how much more do Christians, wandering through the "elements of the world" of this world, constantly attacking from all sides from the enemies of their salvation, need support from the pastors of the Church of Christ. The pastor must be for all Christians "a faithful watchman, vigorous and vigilant" (4:364) and protect them "from spiritual wolves" (4:100). As guides to eternal life, pastors are obliged to call everyone to the path of salvation, and to lead those who are already on it to the Lord's Supper, prepared by the merits of the Son of God on the Cross. They, as guardians of the House of God and guardians of the sheep of Christ, must constantly be vigilant and guard the souls acquired by the Blood of Christ from everything harmful that prevents them from uniting with the Source of life – God. As the commanders of their "warriors teach, instruct and encourage to a good deed against the enemy: so in the Christian battle the leaders are pastors and teachers (must) arm Christians with the word of God against the enemy of the devil... how to stand and strive against him" (4:49). The goal of pastors is also to constantly encourage and support their flock spiritually, to establish in their hearts a striving for heavenly life, to encourage them to higher feats and courage. In the words of the saint, "As the head is in the body, so in Christian society is the shepherd" (4:102). It is not without reason that the Holy Scriptures ascribe to them a high purpose – to be "the light of the world", "the salt of the earth... like a candle burning in the night," etc. "You are the light of Christian society," the Holy Father addresses the pastors, "all people look at you: what you do and what you say... For ye shall be light, that he that beholds you may be enlightened; you will be like a mirror into which people look and wipe away the vices on their faces; You'll be like a rational head on your body. If you are reasonable and good, then blessed will be all the Christian society subject to you" (4:103).

At the same time, pastoral service, according to the saint, is fraught with great difficulties. In order to become a true good shepherd, laying down his life for the sheep of Christ, it is not enough to be rational and instructive, but one must be at the height of one's position – to lead one's life holy, in Christ and with Christ. "Be thou a faithful watchman, beloved, cheerful and vigilant of thyself and of Christian souls, not with silver and gold, but with the blood of Christ. Thou hast given an answer for all of them before the righteous Judge" (4:364-365). The saint says that the pastor of the Church should not be a pillar standing on the way, which only shows the way to the city, but does not move from the spot, but a leader who goes ahead of all, and thus lead the inheritance of God in the abode of the Heavenly Father (4:362; cf. 3:385).

The apostles and their successors devoted their lives to this basic goal of bringing man to God, and all pastors should follow it as well (3:386). While protecting others and educating them for eternal life, the pastor is at the same time obliged to watch over himself, because the fall of a pastor can have a disastrous effect not only on his personal life, but also on the entire flock. "If the lamp be extinguished, with what shall the household be enlightened? If a shepherd be stolen from a wolf, from whom shall the sheep be preserved? If a shepherd, "the salt of the earth, is overwhelmed": what kind of turmoil will there be in people? (Matt. 5:13). If the leader deviates from the way and goes astray, in what error will the travelers be?" (4:367). In this case, the fallen shepherd will contribute not to the salvation of man, but to destroy him, and thus the work of salvation of man by such a pastor will not be created, but destroyed. "For this he (the devil) is anxious to injure and infect the shepherd... infect him, so that he may not (be useful to the flock. — A.I.), but so that he himself may go and lead others to destruction" (4:102).

In his ministry, the pastor of the Church of Christ is likened to a large tree towering over the forest, which, when it falls, makes a great noise and by its fall crushes many nearby trees. The fall of the priest becomes known to many people, and this in turn serves them as a temptation and a stumbling block on the path to salvation (4:101). The fall of a pastor is regarded as more dangerous than the fall of a simple member of the Church. That is why the devil tries first of all to strike down the pastor of the Church of Christ. The saint compares the spiritual warfare of a soldier of Christ with a battle, during which the enemy seeks to defeat, to destroy first of all the commanders, after which, naturally, the soldiers become confused and lose the ability to resist the enemy, which leads them to death or capture. The enemy of the human race, the devil, pursues the same goal. All his efforts and subterfuges are aimed at seducing the pastor from the true path, at winning him over to his side with sinful charms, "so that in this way he may more conveniently be able to captivate and destroy other Christians" (4:49; cf. 4:102; 4:368).

If the devil himself cannot defeat and win over the good shepherd, then he tries to act on him through evil people, who grow like tares among the wheat and help the devil in carrying out his evil plans (4:368; 5:127). That is why such people are more dangerous "than the devil himself" (4:313). Hence, the pastors of the Church of Christ should be ready for every day in order to repel all the intrigues of the enemy. For this purpose, they must prepare themselves "to be patient ... and always, as a ship on the sea of a storm of calamity finds to await it, and finds it to bear with a patient heart. Let it be... in the image of the Chief Shepherd Himself... Who endured the cross from His people, — and the holy apostles... who "were reproached, persecuted... blasphemy, as the rabble of the world, trampled on all..." (1 Corinthians 4:12-13)" (3:387).

In addition, the pastor should arm himself against evil with the word of God and prayer, as well as with his virtuous life, which should be like the light that enlightens the universe on all days. Without a virtuous life, pastoral work will prove fruitless and will contribute not to the establishment of good morals among the worshippers, but, on the contrary, to their destruction. To teach the flock, to direct it to the saving Source of living water – Jesus Christ – can only be the pastor who imitates the Chief Shepherd in everything (3:384). The pastor should not forget that he performs his salvific work – bringing people to God – before the eyes of many people, and this obliges him to be up to his position (5:172). In addition to a holy and God-pleasing life, the pastor of the Church of Christ is required to be constantly spiritually vigilant, which will help him to discern in time the insidious plans of the evil spirit, aimed at the destruction of both his soul and his flock (4:364). If the shepherd relaxes his vigilance and through his fault even one person dies, then this alone is enough to forever lose the sight of God, because the Son of God purchased this lost sheep at the cost of His precious Blood (4:46). In this case, the careless pastor will be completely voiceless. And "then the Lord Christ will be righteously angry with the shepherd, the keeper of His house, and will judge him as negligent and unfaithful" (4:367). Then seized with shame and horror, he will hear the sentence of the Redeemer of the world: "... cast the servant into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:30) (3:388). From these words it is evident what a lofty idea the Holy Father had about pastoral service. In his teachings, he advised those who accept pastoral care to examine themselves to see if they would be ready to bear all its burden, because this great work – the salvation of man – must be undertaken by people who are strong in spirit and pure in life, ready for sacrificial service to God and people. And if a person does not find this in himself, then it is better not to accept this dignity, for for negligent fulfillment of his duties the pastor will be condemned and cast into hell of fire (5:170). Pointing out the loftiness and responsibility of pastoral service in the Church of Christ and advising pastors to avoid with all diligence a vicious life, the Holy Father at the same time exhorts the laity to have obedience and love for them. The flock should look upon the priest as a messenger of God, love him as a father, take care of him and not spread false rumors, not be indignant at his mistakes and not condemn him, pray for him, since his duty is complex and responsible (3:389-390).

Thus, Jesus Christ, by His redemptive feat, presented to His Church the power and authority through the lawful hierarchy to spiritually give birth to and educate the members of the grace-filled Kingdom through the true teaching and saving Sacraments. And at the same time, He Himself is its direct invisible Guide. He, like a wise Helmsman, governs His Church and leads it to the predestined goal of salvation. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, Whom the Savior of the world sent from His Heavenly Father and Who constantly dwells in this grace-filled ark, all members of the Church of Christ, through the Sacraments performed by the clergy, are cleansed from sin, sanctified and strengthened for the struggle with the invisible enemy of our salvation – the devil.

3. The Sacraments and Their Meaning

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Author of the faith and the Finisher of our salvation, entrusted all the means of salvation to His Church, making her a treasury of His grace-filled gifts, which are necessary in the matter of attaining the closest unity with Him. He gave the Church, as has already been said, the power and authority through a properly ordained priesthood to give birth to and bring up heirs of eternal life through doctrine and the Sacraments.